Lion dance is a traditional Chinese dance where dancers perform inside an elaborate lion costume. The dance dates back about a thousand years. The first recorded lion dance occurred during the Ch’in and Han Dynasties, around the third century A.D.
The lions express joy and happiness. The dance is a featured attraction of Chinese New Year’s festivities and other celebrations, including the consecration of temples, business openings, spring planting, harvest, official and religious celebrations.
Shishi or guardian lions, traditionally stood in front of palaces, government offices, temples, and wealthy homes in premodern China. The lions are believed to offer powerful protection. Pairs of these stone lions still decorate opposite sides of building entrances today, especially in China towns. Typically, the male lion rests his paws on the world, and the female is accompanied by a cub. These lions can have different face and decoration details, depending on whether they are representing the Qing or earlier Ming era.
While on a recent visit to Honolulu, I was happy to come across the Waikiki dragon canoe! The canoe is used during Chinese New Year celebrations. Chinese New Year is a major holiday for Chinese families. It’s all about bringing good luck. Big family gatherings, festive decorations, gift giving, and sharing symbolic foods ensure good luck in the new year. The start of Chinese New Year is dictated by the lunar calendar. It is a different day each year, usually falling between late January and February. In 2012 the new year began January 23rd. In Hawaii, Chinese New Year events run through most of January and February.